Autechre Reimagines Process: Quaristice Breaks the Mold

Electronic pioneers Autechre have released their first album in three years, "Quaristice." This release marks a departure from their previous meticulous, track-by-track construction. Instead, the album's genesis lies in extensive jamming sessions, where Sean Booth and Rob Brown adapted and "versioned" components of their live performances into new songs.

The album is characterized by its numerous, brief tracks, with most clocking in at around three to four minutes. "Quaristice" presents twenty distinct sonic miniatures. While tempting to view them as individual singles, their strength lies in their collective impact as part of a larger, suite-like composition. Each piece tends to focus on a singular idea with minimal variation.

This approach contrasts with Autechre's earlier work, which often featured evolving rhythms and intricate sonic shifts within single tracks. The development within each piece on "Quaristice" is subtle and often concludes before significant variation occurs. The album's structure encourages listening as a unified whole, exploring focused ideas in concise movements.